Improvement in underwear



3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

C L. BRADLEY.

Underwear.

Patented Jn. 29,1878.

Jags? N-PETERS, FHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON, D. C,

3 Sheets-Sheet 2:.

O. L. BRADLEYi Underwear.

No. 199,780. Patented Jan 29,1878

NJPEIERS, FHOTO-LITHQGRAPHER. WASHINGYON. D,

v 3 Sheets-Sheetii; O. LpBRADLEY. Underwear.

No. 199,780, Patentedrlan. 29,1878

NJ'ETERS PHOTGLITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLARA L. 'BRADLEY,0F SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

IMPROVEMENT m UNDERWEAR. j

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 199,780, dated January 29, 1878; application filed J anuary 21, 1 878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GLARALYNDEBRA'DA LEY, of the city and county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented a new amountof clothing now worn, as by this improvement only one skirt is necessary, and this one possesses all the advantages of the several skirts now generally worn, and also to furnish a skirt which is peculiarly adaptedto the present styleof close-fitting garments.

The invention consists, first, in theconstruction of a skirt adapted to be attached mainly below the waist-line; secondly, in said skirt being so constructed as to fit the form without fullness; thirdly, in the combination of this proved skirt with detachable flounces; fourthly, in the construction of said flounces; fifthly, in the combination of this improved skirt with the under-suit hereinafter referred to.

Figure 1 is a side view of the skirt. Fig. 2 is a pattern of one-half of the front breadth. of the skirt. Fig. 3 is a pattern of one-half of the back breadth of the skirt. Fig. 1 is a side view of the detachable flounce. Fig. 5 is a pattern of one-halfof the front breadth of the flounce. Fig. 6 is a pattern of one-half of the back breadth of the flounce. Fig. 7 is a pattern of one-half of the yoked band for said flounce. Fig. 8 is a side view of a skirt, showing a modification of Fig. 1. Figs. 9 and 10 arepatterns of the front and back breadths thereof. Figs. 11 and 12 are patterns for the construction of the under-suit before referred to. Fig. 13 represents the suit and skirt combined and arranged for wear.

My improved under-suit, as shown in the drawings, consists of two or more pieces, cut and adapted to fit the form substantially in the .manner shown in Fig. 13, and more particularly described in my patent before referred to. As an improvement upon said pa-tent, the garment may be provided with a stay, m, if

preferred, stitched crosswise of the garment a suitable distance below the waist-line, forming additional support for fastening devices.

To make the skirt, the breadths are cut in any suitable number, according to the width required, of a gored or tapering formthat is, wider at the bottom than at the top--substantialy as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The skirt may be of any desired length, extending, when attached to the under-suit, from about six inches or other suitable point below the waistline to a point at or below the knee, forming the short skirt, as shown in Fig. 1, or the full skirt shown in Fig. 8.

The upper portion of the back breadth is provided with an extension, 6, Figs. 1 and 3, to be attached to the waist-line of the undersuit, as shown in the dotted lines at E, Fig. 13. The breadths are" united in the usual manner, the skirt being made to closely fit the form by means of darts or gores a 1), Figs. 1,2, taken from the top of the breadth, or midway of the width, or at any other suitable place. The upper edge of the skirt may be finished with a hem, though a facing may be used to add strength. Said edge is provided with means of attachment by which it is united with the under-suit, as shown at d, Fig. 13, by the dotted lines, about six inches or other suitable distance below the waist.

The back extension is secured at the waist line 0, Fig. 13, as shown in the dotted lines.

The darts do away with the usual fullness caused by gathering or plaiting into a band to the waist-line furnishes a support for the bottom fullness of the skirt and dress.

It may be here stated that wires or other stiffening devices may be inserted through pockets formed in the upper portion of the back breadth, thus forming a bustle thereon. It is further designed to make the short ively, as shown, Figs. land 4, the attachment being concealed, if desired, by an ornamental tuck or ruffle arranged to fall on the same.

To make the flounce, the breadths are cut of the desired depth, and three or more in number, one front and two back, as shown by patterns 5 and 6, and in width about twice that of'the skirt to which it is to be attached. A yoked band is then out in the shape shown in Fig. 7, consisting of the plain portion f and the yoked portion g, and of a width corresponding to that of the bottom of the skirt. The breadths of the flounce, after being united, are attached to the yoked band, the front breadth fitting into the plain portion, and-the back breadths being fulled or gathered into the yoke portion, the yoked fullness forming a fan-shaped train.

The employment of these flounces adapts the skirttodifferent purposesas, for instance, the change of the depth suitable for walking to a full train, water proof, or felt flounce, the flounce being so readily adjusted that the style of the skirt may be changed withcomparatively. little trouble, and without the necessity of removing the dress.

- The modification shown in Fig. 8 is cut as;

. closely above and loosely below the waist-line, substantially as described, in combination with i a skirt having a detachable flounce, substanin the former case, and-of any desired length. The, lower portion of the back breadths are ex tended outward, as shown at h, Fig. 10, which extension provides for the requisite fullness in that portion of the skirt. The upper portion of the skirt is made to closely fit the form,

' and'the extension is fulled into the body or lower part of the breadth, as shown at 9, Fig.

8. To admit of this being done, a cut is made part way across the breadth, as shown at i, Fig. 10.

The skirts and flounces may be made of any desired material, as taste may dictate-for instance, cotton, silk, velvet, cloths, paper, &c.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A skirt adapted in its construction to be attached to an under-garment mainly below the waist-line, and provided with the extension 0, substantiallyas described and shown,

. and for the purpose set forth.

2. A skirt constructed substantially as above described, and provided with darts upon its upper edge, whereby it is adapted to fit the form without fullness, as set forth.

described, in combination with a 3. A skirt constructed substantially as above detachable flounce, asset forth. I

4. A'detachable flounce consisting of the front and back breadths and the yoked band, the back breadths being gathered into the yoked portion of the band, substantially as described and shown. 1 5.-The combination of a skirt adapted to be attached below the waist-line with an undersuit constructed substantially as described.

6. The combination of a skirt adapted to be attached mainly below the waist-line with an.

under-suit, substantially as described.

7, A skirt provided with a detachable flounce, in combination with an under-suit, substantially as described.

8. An under-suit constructed to fit the form tially as specified.

CLARA LYNDE BRADLEY- Witnesses H. G. BRADLEY, A. lt-G. NrcHoLs 

